Pearl Jam’s Former Drummer Dave Abbruzzese Responds to Rock Hall Snub

When the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced its 2017 nominations yesterday (Oct. 18), there were names left off the list when it came to Pearl Jam. Former drummers Dave Abbruzzese, Jack Irons (and Matt Chamberlin) were not counted among the band members both current and former. Abbruzzese has something to say about it.

On Facebook, Abbruzzese posted, “The members of Pearl jam have got to know what’s the right thing to do. They can’t justify ignoring my contributions. Like me or not.” If chosen, the Hall of Fame will induct Eddie Vedder, Mike McCready, Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament along with Pearl Jam’s current drummer Matt Cameron and its original drummer Dave Krusen.

Abbruzzese played drums for Pearl Jam on two albums, 1993’s Vs. and 1994’s Vitalogy. Before contributing to those studio albums, he also performed with Pearl Jam on their Ten tour. He was later fired in 1994 and replaced with Jack Irons who played on the Vitalogy tour, and then contributed drums to 1996’s No Code and 1998’s Yield.

To be eligible for the nomination, each band or artist needed to have release an album in 1991 or earlier. This year marked Pearl Jam’s first year of eligibility.